Cavaliers have been in contact with Derrick Rose

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said before Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies that the team has been in contact with guard Derrick Rose ahead of a possible return. He, though, did not have a timeline for when Rose could return to the team. Per cleveland.com, Cavs GM Koby Altman echoed the same thoughts.

Rose has been out with an ankle injury since Nov. 9 and has been away from the team for roughly the same time. Per an ESPN report, he is considering his future in basketball after dealing with numerous injuries over the past few seasons.

At the Cavs’ shootaround on Saturday morning, LeBron James said that he had not talked to Rose, and that the team would not rush him back.

"Whenever he's ready to tell us or whatever, we're ready for that," he said. "You don't ever fast-track someone's process of what they may be going through. When they're ready to talk about it or ready to bring it to the forefront, as his teammates we'll be ready for it. I don't know what the organization's stand on that is, that's different. From us as players, we don't need an answer from him, we want him to be as great as he can be, off the floor first before he even thinks about being on the floor.”

The team has not given an official timetable for Rose’s return, but Lue previously said that Rose would be back with the team at some point. When/if he does come back, he could be a man without a role, as the Cavs have found a rhythm while he’s been away and Isaiah Thomas could soon make his return.